Gentle Parenting by the Band

Remember being a kid, standing at the gates of the greatest amusement park you’d ever seen? You wanted to sprint through the turnstile, hit every thrill ride immediately, spin yourself dizzy, and not stop until you were dragged out at closing time. But then a gentle hand landed on your shoulder.

“Jimmy, we’re here for four days. You don’t have to rush. You’ve got time. Slow down. Enjoy it. Don’t just run from ride to ride.”

Night One felt like that reminder.

We have four days. We get to ride this roller coaster. We get to slow down and savor the moments instead of chasing them.

We stepped through the gates buzzing with anticipation, pockets full of wish lists and must-ride dreams. And just like that, Buried Alive kicked things off ... the perfect starter ride. Enough speed and motion to wake the senses without overwhelming them. A warm-up spin before the real thrills. AC/DC Bag followed, immediately shutting down any Gamehendge speculation, stretching and building for ten patient minutes... that long, clacking climb up the first big hill. You know the drop is coming, but the suspense is the point. Hanging there, high above it all, we finally tipped over into Roggae: the smooth, floating descent. A wide, scenic glide with the reminder, “If life were easy, and not so fast, I wouldn’t think about the past.” The lights softened, the pace eased, and everyone collectively caught their breath.

Then the familiar click of the track pulling us forward again... Rift. Tight harmonies, quick turns, controlled chaos. A reliable coaster that thrives on tension. Still not ready to stop moving, Wolfman’s Brother beckoned like a winding dark ride, howling and grooving, promising something larger just ahead. No time to get comfortable ... Punch You in the Eye shoved us forward into Sigma Oasis and then Taste, each transition another sharp turn, another unexpected drop.

Then came a rare moment of stillness: Sleep. A quiet overlook tucked inside the park. Benches. Soft lights. A pause to take it all in. A core memory moment... peaceful, reflective, and grounding. Space held for the dreamers. Of course, the only way out of that calm was to bolt straight into Antelope, bursting back into motion like a runaway coaster screaming toward the exit gate.

Obligatory concessions break.

Set Two was where we wandered into the Fun House... mirrors warped, colors brighter, rules a little looser. You don’t hop back on the biggest coaster right after snacks. You ease in. Oblivion and Disease felt intentionally restrained, stretching their legs and setting the tone. Then the real ride opened up: Simple → Jibboo → Bottom → Simple. Forty-seven minutes of curves, dips, grooves, and a few janky transitions that only added character. A ride so fun no one wanted to step off.

But again, that gentle reminder arrived... Everything’s Right. A hug. A hand on the shoulder. “You did good, kid.”

As the park lights began to glow and we drifted toward the exit, there was still time for one last classic attraction. Slave to the Traffic Light... reliable, familiar, and essential. A closing ride that doesn’t try to dazzle, just to remind you why you fell in love with the park in the first place. A soft promise whispered on the way out: Tomorrow is another day.

If Night One is any indication of what the rest of this run holds, this is an amusement park I never want to leave.